The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board [Publication Details]

Mar 2, 2026 - In this post, we assess the Governor’s proposal for new positions and associated funding at the State Water Resources Control Board to manage increased workload stemming from a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5144

The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board

Mar 2, 2026 - Water quality is governed by the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and state Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Under CWA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes national standards and delegates authority to SWRCB and its nine regional water boards (collectively referred to as the water boards) to administer federal permitting programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

The Bay-Delta Plan and Voluntary Agreements: Ensuring Effective Legislative Oversight

Mar 18, 2026 - Congress and the state Legislature established the backbone for policies through laws such as the federal Clean Water Act and state Porter ‑Cologne Water Quality Control Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and other agencies then implement these laws by adopting regulations to establish and enforce specific requirements.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive

Feb 24, 2026 - Most recently, the federal Inflation Reduction Act included a tax credit of up to $7,500 per vehicle for the purchase of new light ‑duty ZEVs and up to $4,000 per vehicle for the purchase of used light ‑duty ZEVs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

The 2026-27 Budget: Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Proposals

Mar 19, 2026 - California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Resources. The office coordinates the state-level guidance for and review of CEQA-related documents, including maintaining a statewide clearinghouse of CEQA environmental documents.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5167

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - Trailer bill language adopted in Chapter  106 of 2025 (A B  149 , Committee on Budget) also allowed state agencies and departments to use the emergency rulemaking process under the Administrative Procedure Act to develop and adopt their bond program guidelines and selection criteria.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5115

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Elimination of State Environmental Positions

Feb 17, 2026 - Moreover, often special funds administered by CNRA and CalEPA departments, CDFA, and CPUC are structured specifically to ensure fee-payers help support regulatory act ivities and the mitigation of their industry ’s environmental impacts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB): Responding to Changes in Clean Water Act Protections. The budget proposes $2.6  million ongoing from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund, along with 12 positions, to mitigate impacts stemming from a U.S.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116